Newsletter 032

Ancient Letters

The Tebtunis Papyri

Aurelia Tisais, informs the centurion of the disappearance of her father and brother on a hunting expedition. The text is dated to 22 December 216 AD.

To Aurelius Julius Marcellinus, centurion, from Aurelia Tisais, whose mother is Tais, formerly an inhabitant of the village of Tebtunis in the division of Polemon.

My father Kalabalis, who is a hunter, set off with my brother Neilos as long ago as the 3rd of the present month to hunt hares, and up to this time they have not returned.

I therefore suspect that they have met with some accident, and I present this statement, making this matter known to you, in order that if they have met with any accident the persons found guilty may be held accountable to me.

I happen to have also presented a copy of this notice to the strategos Aurelius Idiomachos to be placed on the register.

‘Egyptworld’, the book I was illustrating last year, has now been published – but most of my professional work this year has been of the none Egyptian type – I’ve just finished illustrating a book on the Vikings and have since made two extra Viking limited edition prints based on the images from this book. I’ve also made two science fiction themed prints.Viking Long Ship>>Viking Shield Wall>>The Old Starship>>Alien Cemetary>>I’ve also started my battle of Kadesh picture.

Egypt holds artefacts and monuments that represent 3000 years of our human story. Therefore, the recent news of corruption, destruction and theft coming out of the country only strengthens the arguments against repatriating ancient artefacts from western museums to their country of origin. I once thought the Elgin Marbles should return to Athens but I’m now inclined to the notion that all the world’s historical artefacts should be spread around the glob and or be safely buried back in the ground until, in the future, today’s political fools and religious nutters are only an unfortunate footnote of human history.

Hand-Tinted Photos from the 19th century

In the late nineteenth century, Western archaeologists and tourists were fascinated by the ruins of ancient Egypt. Here are some of the incredible photos they took, which were hand-tinted in the fashion of the day. *Click Here*

Egyptworld “This lavishly illustrated volume brings you the incredible temples and monuments of ancient Egyptian all their glory. Magnificent colour artworks faithfully recreate them as they were in the time of the Pharaohs. Revel in the details of the Sphinx or experience the awesome scale of the Pyramids of Giza.” *Click Here*

New timeline for origin of ancient Egypt

Archaeological digs in Egypt reveal where the First Dynasty kings of Egypt are buried – but until now a timeline has been difficult to establish. *Click Here*

Egyptian Years and DaysMany Egyptians continue to use several yearly calendars, the heritage of the country’s different religious traditions. *Click Here*

Eat Like an Egyptian

From grains like emmer and kamut to cloudy beer and honey-basted gazelle, Hungry History focuses on the meals of ancient Egypt.*Click Here*

Hieroglyph – New Fox TV Drama

Hieroglyph will focus on “a notorious thief who is plucked from prison to serve the Pharaoh, navigating palace intrigue, seductive concubines, criminal underbellies and divine sorcerers.” Production will begin in early 2014.*Click Here*

A History of Ancient Egypt,’ by John Romer

As most of you know I’m a fan of John Romer – He’s been a great inspiration to me.

You can get his new book – A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid from:-

Opet Festival at Karnak limited Edition Fine Art print. The Opet, was one of the most important annual festivals. the people received free bread and beer and the celebrations lasted for 27 days. *Click Here*